Foldable closure mechanism fitted with adjustable hinge arms



April 30, 1957 J. J. AUERHAAN 2,790,491

FOLDABLE CLOSURE MECHANISM FITTED WITH ADJUSTABLE HINGE ARMS Filed May 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l a ATTOIFMEY Apri 1957 J. J. AUERHAAN FOLDABLE CLOSURE MECHANISM FITTED WITH ADJUSTABLE HINGE ARMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 6, 1955 INVENTOR. J0sP/-/ J AUERHAA/V ATTORN A ril 30, 1957 J. J. AUERHAAN 2,790,491

FOL-DABLE CLOSURE MECHANISM FITTED WITH ADJUSTABLE HINGE ARMS Filed May 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Elf Mg INVENTOR. dosc h' J AUUPHAAA/ I v ATTORNEY iinited States Patent "ice FOLDABLE CLOSURE MECHANISM FITTED WITH ADJUSTABLE HINGE ARMS Joseph J. Auerhaan, Flushing, N. Y.

Application May 6, 1955, Serial No. 506,501

12 Claims. (Cl. 160-84) This invention relates to closures or wall sections and is particularly directed to a foldable closure mechanism, which can be utilized and adjusted to fit into a wide range of widths in an extensive range of applications, including doors, walls, or sections of walls, partitions and the like.

This application represents an improvement on my copending application, Serial Number 467,160, filed in the United States Patent Oflice on the 5th day of November, 1954, on a Foldable Closure and Actuating Mechanism Therefor.

A primary feature of applicants construction is that the front and rear hinge arms, which support the folded fabric cover sections of the unit are so constructed that they are mounted in such a manner as to render them angularly movable and adjustable relative to one another, thereby improving the flexibility of the unit and simplifying the fabrication and operation thereof.

Another feature of applicants construction is that the front and rear hinge arms are set up in pairs, thereby strengthening the overall construction of the unit and improving the rigidity thereof.

Another feature of applicants construction is the fact that the pins, or support rods supporting the center of the pivoted hinge arms are guided by a longitudinal slot cut through the channel track supporting the unit, thus accurately aligning the folded sections of the unit and retaining the various sections thereof in accurate alignment with one another when the foldable closure is supported in its operating position, and preventing any angular movement of the various sections of the foldable closure mechanism relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the unit.

Another feature of applicants construction is that individual hinge arms can be individually replaced and repaired when they are bent or broken, thereby reducing the cost of maintaining the foldable closure mechanism.

Another feature of the construction is that individual sets of front and rear hinge arms, in one row, can be assembled separately, the ends thereof being pivotally attached to one another, after which the entire unit can be assembled to the central support rods, which support the foldable closure mechanism.

Another feature of applicants construction is that a certain amount of angular play is introduced between the pairs of hinge arms of each hinged section, thereby allowing each hinge arm to move through an angle relative to the mating hinge arm, thereby preventing binding of the assembled unit during the opening and closing thereof.

Another feature of applicants construction is the improved method of attaching the folded fabric cover sections to the vertical central support rods, or the central support pins, thereby facilitating the attachment to and removal of the folded fabric cover sections from the foldable closure actuating mechanism;

A feature of applicants constructionis the method of removably attaching the vertical sidewall, adjacent the 2,790,491 Patented Apr. 30, 1957 fixed channel side column, to the channel column sup-' porting the unit in a wall opening or door jamb.

Another feature of the construction resides in the fact that the various elements comprising the folding mechanism'are simple, readily controlled, and easily adjusted without special tools or equipment.

Another feature of the construction is that all of the component parts thereof are relatively simple to manufacture and of relatively low cost, individually rigid and compact, and easily assembled and adjusted to any required width.

Essentially the same type of foldable closure mechanism can be used as a door, a portion of a wall, or a complete wall section, or as a partition or part of a partition, the units being used individually or in multiples of two or more, depending upon the size and width of the opening, or space in which they are used.

The accompanying drawings, illustrative of one embodiment of my invention and several modifications thereof, together with the description of their construction and the method of operation, adjustment and installation and utilization thereof, will serve to clarify further objects and advantages of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of one embodiment of the foldable closure mechanism, in which the upper and lower hinge arms are supported by a row of central support rods, with parallel rows of front and rear support rods supporting the front and rear ends of the hinge arms, with a major portion of the fabric cover removed, the entire apparatus being supported by a longitudinal channel rail.

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view and partial cross-section through a portion of the hinge arms, shown in Fig. 1,

showing the method of aligning and locating each pair of forward and rear hinge arms by means of a central slotted washer.

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section, and partial plan View of some of the front and rear hinge arms shown in Figs. 1 and 2, showing the method of pivotally supporting the front and rear hinge arms, also showing the front and rear support rods and the hinge arms attached thereto, moved angularly outward relative to the slots in the central locating washer, shown in dot-dash lines.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one set of upper hinge arms shown in Figs. 1 and 2, attached to the vertical central support rods and the front and rear support rods, taken approximately on the line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a modification of the foldable closure mechanism, shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower hinged sections being individually supported by central support pins fitted through the central looped ends of the hinged arms, with a major portion of the fabric cover sections removed, the entire unit being supported by a longitudinal channel rail, similar to that shown in Fig. 1, showing a pair of channel side columns attached to the left and right-hand ends of the hinge sections respectively.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the central portion of the folda'ble closure mechanism, shown in Fig. 5, showing the vertical side columns, shown in Fig. 5, with an extensible linkage interposed between the two vertical channel side columns, shown in Fig. 5, to maintain the side columns in parallelism relative to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the upper and lower hinge sections, shown in Fig. 5. j

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the extensible linkage shown in Fig. 6, and a cross-section through the vertical channel side columns, taken on the line 7--7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view and partial section through the longitudinal channel rail shown in Fig; 1;

3 and the central support rods of the hinge sections shown in Figs. 1 and 3, taken on the line 8-8, Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section through the longitudinal channel rail, shownin :Fig. 8, and one of the rod support slides slidably fitted to the longitudinal channel rail flanges,taken at19-- 9, Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 isa cross-section through one of the vertical channel side columns, shown in Fig. 1, and a bottom plan view of the ledges or shelves extending outward therefrom, with one of the hinge side arms pivotally attached to the channel side column inner wall ledges.

.Fig. 11 is a vertical sectionthrough one embodiment of the U-shapedfabric cover fastener brackets shown in Figs. 4 and 12, with sections of the fabric cover section folds attached thereto, taken on the-line 11-11, Fig. 12.

'Fig. .12 is apartia'l horizontal section and partial top plan view of one of the U-shaped fabric cover fastener brackets, shown in Figs. 4 and 11, with the fabric cover sectionfolds attached thereto, taken on the line 12-12, Figs. 4 and 11.

Fig. 13 is a partial vertical section and partial side elevation .of one of the U-shaped fabric fold fastener brackets, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, taken on the line 13-13, Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section, similar to Fig. 11, through a modification of the U-shaped fabric cover fastener bracket, shown in Fig. 11, with sections of the fabric cover attached to the front and rear fastener walls thereof, taken on the line 14-14, Fig. 15.

Fig. 15 is a partial horizontal section and partial top plan view, similar to Fig. 11, through the modified fabric fastener bracket shown in Fig. 14, taken on the line 15-15, Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a cross-section through one of the vertical side channel columns shown in Fig. 1, and a portion of the right-hand side wall of the wall opening to which the foldable closure mechanism is fitted, the right-hand side wall being the wall to which the right-hand, or fixed verticalchannel column is removably attached, and a spring clip attached to the side wall for removably attaching the foldable closure vertical channel side column to the adjacent side wall.

Fig. 17 represents a side elevation of the side channel column support spring clip, shown in Fig. 16, taken on the line 1717, Fig. 16.

It :will be understood that the following description of the construction and the method of operation, mounting :and utilization of the folda'ble closure mechanism fitted with adjustable hinge arms is intended as explanatory of the invention and not restrictive thereof.

-In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the various views, except where otherwise indicated.

One embodiment of the construction, shown 'in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is supported by a row of substantially cylindrical vertical central support rods 10, 10a, which are located along the longitudinal axis of the foldable closure mechanism and equally spaced relative to one another in the relative positions shown in Fig. 1.

A set of upper hinge sections is located adjacent the upper end of the central support rods, and a corresponding set of lower hinge sections located adjacent the lower end of the central support rods in substantially the relative positions shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, each of the upper sections comprises a set of forward hinge arms 11 and 12 and a mating set of rear hinge arms 14 and 15, each of the hinge arms extending angularly outward from the central support rods in the horizontal plane shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In order to align the front and rear hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15, of each hinge section with one another, a central locating washer 16 or 17 is fitted to each of the central support rods 10 and 100, at substantially the 4 vertical center of eachpair of hinge arms in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each of the locating washers has a pair of slots 18 and 19 therethrough, the slots being substantially perpendicular to the face of the locating washer, the width of the slots 18 and 19 being somewhat grcater than the thickness of the adjacent front and rear hinge arms 11 and 15 to allow a small relative angular movement between each pair of hinge arms and the central locating washer while the hinge arms are held within the corresponding locating washer slots, in a manner hereinafter described in greater detail.

As shown in Fig. 2, the slots 18 and 19 through each locating washer are substantially equidistant from the center of the locating washer at opposite sides thereof,

in order to locate the hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 relative to the central support rods.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the side faces of each of the slots 18 and 19 in each of the locating washers may be substantially parallel to one another as shown in Fig. 2, or the width of each slot at the outer circumference of the washer'may be greater than the width at the root of the slot to allow a greater angular movement of the front and rear hinge arms 11, 12, and 14, 15 relative to one another.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, each of the hinge arms 11, 12 or 14, 15 has a central looped end 21 or 22 integral therewith, the central looped end 21 or 22 extending over a vertical distance slightly less than one-half the height of each hinge arm, the balance of the central looped end of each hinge arm being cut away to clear the adjacent looped end of the mating hinge arm in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the outer end of each of the front and rear hinge arms has a similar looped end 23 or 24, 23a or 24a integral therewith, the looped ends 23 and 23a 'of the front hinged arms 11 and 12 being fitted to one of a row of substantially cylindrical forward support .rods 25, 25a, the looped ends of the rear hinge arms 14 and 15 being similarly fitted to one of a row of substantially parallel rear support rods 26, 26a in the relative positions shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the rear support rods 26 is in substantial alignment with the mating forward support rod 25, each pair of forward and rear support rods 25, 25a or 26, 26a being located approximately midway between the corresponding pair of central support rods 10 and 10a in the normal operating position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The forward and rear support rods are substantially parallel to one another and to the corresponding central support rods 10 and 10a, asshown in Figs. 1 and 4.

As shownin Fig. 4, the outer looped ends of the front and rear hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 are cut away at substantially the vertical center line of each of the hinge arms, to clear the looped end of the adjacent hinge arm which is fitted to the mating front or rear support rod 25 or 26 in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5.

As shown at the bottom of Fig. 1, a set of lower hinge sections is fitted to the lower end of each central support rod, each set of lower hinge sections comprising a set of forward hinge arms 11c, 12c, and a mating set of rear hinge arms 14, 15, as shown in greater detail in Fig. 3, each set of hinge a'rms being located in substantially the same relative angular position as the upper hinge arms shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

As shownin Figs. 1 and 4, each set of upper hinge arms is vertically located on the corresponding central support rod 10, 10a by a spring thimble 23 fitted to the central support rod below each set of upper hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15, an upper spring thiinble 2% being similarly attached to the each central support rod 10, 10a above the "upper edge of each set of hinge arms in the manner shown in Figs. 1 to 4, to vertically align the sets of upper 'nge in substantially the relative positions shown in Figs. l and 4.

The lower hinge sections, each comprising a set of lower hinge arms 11c, 12c, and 14, 15, as shown in greater detail in Fig. 3, is vertically located on the lower end of each of the central support rods, by a spring thimble 28b, similar to those shown at the top of Fig. 1. Insofar as the hinge section construction is concerned, the upper and lower hinge section construction and the front and rear hinge arms thereof, as shown in Fig. 5, are substantially the same as those shown in Fig. 1, the difference being primarily in the method of vertically supporting the hinged sections and vertically locating them relative to the respective support rods and the central support pins. The detailed construction of the hinged sections, the hinge arms 11, 12, 14 and 15, and the central locating washers having slots 18 and 19 through the outer circumferences thereof for limiting the relative angular movement of the hinge arms, is shown in greater detail in Fig. 3.

The central support rods and 10a are suspended from and guided by a long suspension rail 30, which is in the form of a channel of oval, or other suitable cross section, as shown in Fig. 9, the suspension rail having a pair of relatively flat lower flanges 31 and 32 integral therewith with a wide gap 33 between the two lower flanges.

A slide block 34 or 34a is fitted to the upper end of alternate central support rods 10 and 10a to guide the central support rods along the suspension rail.

Each of the slide blocks 34, 34a has a pair of parallel slots 35 and 36 cut into the sides thereof, the slots being of rectangular, or other suitable cross-section to slidably receive and clear the lower flanges 31 and 32 on opposite sides of the suspension rail 30 in order to slidably support 'the foldable closure mechanism.

The upper ends of the alternate central support rods 10 and 10a which do not have slide blocks 34 or 34:: fitted thereto, project into the gap 33 between the lower suspension rail flanges 31 and 32 in order to maintain the central support rods of all the hinge sections in-accurate longitudinal alignment with one another.

The left-hand side hinge arms 37 and 37a and the right-hand side hinge arms 33 and 38a are supported by a pair of substantially vertical channel side columns 39 and 40 in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 10, each of the vertical channel side columns 39 and 40 is of channel crosssection, each channel section consisting of an inner wall 41, a pair of front and rear walls 42 and 42a substantially perpendicular to the inner wall, and a pair of outer flanges 43 and 43a substantially parallel to the inner wall, the outer flanges 43, 43a having a wide central gap therebetween.

As shown in Fig. 1, each end of each of the vertical side columns 39 and 40 has a pair of upper ledges or shelves 44 and 44a and a corresponding pair of lower ledges 45, 45a, integral therewith, the ledges being cut out of the inner wall 41 of the corresponding side column 39 or 4tl'and locatedsubstantially iperpendicular thereto,'in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 10.

The central looped end46 of each of the side hinged arms rests on the corresponding ledge or shelf 44 of the side column in the manner indicated in Fig. I, the surface at the bottom of the looped end 46a of the bottom hinge arm resting on the corresponding ledge; 44a of the side column.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 10, a pin or screw 47 is fitted through a central opening in the mating upper ledges 44 and 44a, and a corresponding pin 48 through the lower ledges 45, 45a, the pin projecting through the central looped ends 46 and 46a of the adjacent side hinge arms 37 to accuratelyalign the side hinge arms 37' and 38 with theside columns 39 and 40.

- --As shown in Fig. 1, each pin.or screw.4l, 48. hasa head 47a or 48 integral therewith, the head 474 of the upper pin engaging the bottom surface of the lower side column ledge 44a, while the head 48a of the lower pin rests against the upper edge of the central looped end of the adjacent side hinge arm 37a, a spring thimble 50 similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and attached to the central support rods 10 and 10a, being attached to the upper end of the pin or screw 47 of the upper hinge sections to vertically locate the pin or screw relative to the upper parallel channel column ledges 44 and 44a, and retain the upper pin or screw within the central looped end 46, 46a of the side hinge arms 37 and 38.

As shown at the bottom of Fig. 1, a pin or screw 48 is fitted through a central opening in the lower pair of ledges 45 and 45a of each side column, the pin fitting through the central looped end of the adjacent lower side hinge arm to align the side hinge arms with the channel side column. The upper end of each lower pin 48 has a head 48a integral therewith, the head engaging the upper edge of the inner looped end ofthe lower side hinge arms 37a, 38d to retain the hinge arms in engagement with the lower ledges 45 and 45a.

As shown in Figs. 1, l1 and 12, a front and rear fabric cover section 52 and 53 are fitted around the hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 of the foldable closure mechanism, the folded sections of the front and rear fabric cover being wrapped around the front and the rear end loops of the hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 to align the fabric cover with the hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 of the upper and lower hinge sections.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a substantially U-shaped fastener bracket is fitted to the upper end of each of the central support rods 14 and 10a to support the fabric cover on the foldable closure mechanism.

The detailed construction of one embodiment of the U-shaped fabric fastener brackets is shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13.

Each U-shaped fabric fastener bracket comprises a connecting wall 55, with a front and a rear wall 56 and 57 integral therewith and substantially perpendicular thereto, the connecting wall and the front and rear walls 55, 56 and 57 being made of a thin sheet of spring steel or other suitable spring material.

Each of the front and rear Walls 56 and 57 of the fabric fastener bracket, which is of arcuate cross-sectional contour, as shown in Fig. 12, is slotted along two lines substantially parallel to the connecting wall of the bracket to form a pair of gripping flanges 58 and 59, which are angularly located relative to the corresponding front or rear wall of the fabric fastener bracket, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13.

As shown in Fig. 13, the central ends of the two gripping flanges 58 and 59 each has a circular segmental or other arcuate form of cut out 60, 69a therethrough, the sharp inner edges of the gripping flanges 5S and 59 adjacent the cutouts receiving and gripping the body 61 of a pin which is fitted therethrough, in the manner shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Each pin comprises a substantially cylindrical body 61 which is fitted to the arcuate cutouts 66 and 69a in the gripping flanges 53 and 59 of the U-shaped fastener bracket walls and gripped by the sharp edges of the gripping flanges located adjacent the cutouts, and a head 63 integral with the outer end of the pin body, the pin head 63 engaging and gripping the adjacent surface of the front or rear fabric cover section 52 or 53 respectively, in the manner shown in Figs. 11 and 12, thefabric .cover sections each having rows of openings therethrough to receive and clear the body 61 of each of the corresponding pins when it is inserted in the mounting position, shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the connecting wall 55 of each fabric fastener bracket has an opening therethrough which fits over the central support-rod 10, 10a.

Each fabric fastener bracket attached to the upper end of each central support rodis held in-place by a lock nut 7 64 made of a spring material of arcuate cross-sectional contourgas shown in Fig. T1, the lock nut having a central opening therethrough with teeth surrounding the central opening, the teeth engaging and gripping the central support rod in the manner shown in Fig. 11.

A coiled compression spring 65 is fitted to the lower end of each central support rod below the central looped ends of the lower hinge arms 11d, 12d,'the compression spring forcing the lower U-shaped fabric fastener bracket, to which the lower end of the fabric is attached, downward, thereby maintaining the required tension in the fabric cover sections and holding each fabric cover section taut.

As shown at the bottom of Fig. l, a similar coiled compression spring'66 is fitted to the lower end of each pin or screw 48, which is employed to attach each side hinge arm to the adjacent vertical side column.

A U-shaped fabric fastener bracket similar to those shown in Figs. 1, 11 and 12 is fitted to the lower end of each pin or screw 48, the fabric fastener brackets gripping the lower portion of the ends of the fabric sections in the same manner. I I

A lock'nut 64 similar to that shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is fitted to the lower end of each pin 43 the connecting wall of the fabric fastener brackets being held in place against the coiled compression spring 66surrounding the pin 48 by the lock nut.

in this manner, the tension of the ends of the fabric cover sections between the upper and lower portions thereof is maintained by the compression springs 66 in the same manner as that of the intermediate portion of the fabric sections.

As shown in Fig. 3, the slots 18 and 19 through each of the locating washers 16 and 17 are wide enough to allow the adjacent hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 to be angularly adjusted relative to one another, thus allowing the front and the rear support rods 25 and 26 to be angularly displaced from their normal positions shown in solid lines, Fig. 3, to the angularly offset positions 252, 26c, shown by dot-dash lines, Fig. 3, and in that manner allowing the front and the rear hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 to be angularly displaced from their normal positions 11, 12 and 14, .15 shown in Fig. 3, to the angularly displaced positions 11c, 12c and 15a, shown by dot-dash lines Fig. 3,

the central flat ends of the respective hinge arms remaining within, and being located by the corresponding slots in the locating washers regardless of the angular position of the front and rear hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show another modification of the foldable closure mechanism, shown in Fig. l. in place of the central support rods, a row of central upper pins 67 is fitted to the inner looped ends of the upper hinged arms and a similar row of central lower pins 68 fitted to the inner looped ends of the lower hinged arms, the pins 67 and 68 being located in the relative positions shown in Fig. 5, adjacent the upper and lower ends of the vertical channel side columns 69 and 70.

The essential difference between the construction shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, and that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is that the central support rods shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are replaced by a row of upper central support pins 67, and a mating row of lower support pins 63, the upper and lower support pins being in longitudinal alignment with one another.

The upper hinge sections fitted to the upper support pins and the lower hinge sections fitted to the lower support pins are substantially the same as those shown in 'Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and hereinbefore described.

slots maintaining the hinge arms in their relative positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3. t

111i: central looped ends 21-or22, of thehinge arms 11 and 12 are substantially the same as those shown'in'Fi'gs. 2, 3 and'4.

Theouter looped ends 23, 23a, 24, 24a of the hinge arms are substantially'the same as those shown'in Figs; 1, 2 and 3, the outerlooped ends'of the forward hinge arms being fitted to a row of vetrical forward support rods 25, 25a, in the manner shown in Figs. 5, 3 and 4, the outer looped ends 24, 24a of the rear hinge arms 14 and 15 being fitted to a row of rear support rods 26 and 26a in substantially the same manner as those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the front-rear support rods being located in the relative longitudinal positions shown in Fig. 5.

The position of the front and 'therear support rods 25 and 26 relative'to the central support pins 67, 68 is substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and hereinbefore described.

The lower hinge sections fitted to the lower central support pins '67 and'68, are substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower hinge arms 11c, 12c, 14c, and 15c being located in substantial alignment 'with'the upper hingearms shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

As shown in Fig. 5, each upper central support pin has a head 67b, integral'therewith, the lower central support pins 68 each having a similar head 68b integral therewith, the head67b of the upper central support pin being located adjacent the bottom of the upper hinge arms 11b, 12b, the

head 68b of the lower support pins being located adjacent the upper edge of the top set of lower'hinge arms 11c; and 12c in the manner shown in Figs. 5 and 4.

Each of'the upper central support pins is held in enga'gement with the upper edge of the upper hinge arms by a spring thimble or bushing 28a, attached to the upper end of the upper central support pin '67.

The upper central support pins are suspended from and guided by along suspension rail 30 in the manner shown in Figs. 5, 8 and 9. The upper ends of the alternate upper central support pins 67a and 67c, which do 'not have slides fitted thereto project into the gap between the suspension rail flanges in the manner shown in Figs. 5,

.8 and 9.

The leftand right-handend hinge arms 37, 37a, and 38, 38a are supported by a pair of substantially vertical channel side columns 69 and 70 located at the extreme sides of the foldable closure mechanism.

Each of the vertical side columns 69 and 70 is of channel cross-section, substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 10.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper and lower ends of each of the vertical side columns 69 and 70 has a pair of upper ledges or shelves 73, 73a and a mating pair of lower ledges or shelves 74, 74a integral therewith, the ledges being cut out of the inner wall of the side column 69 or 70, and located substantially perpendicularly thereto in the relative positions shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

The central looped end 46, 46a of each of the end hinged arms rests on the corresponding ledge or shelf 73, 73a of the adjacent channel side column in the position shown-in Fig. 5.

As shown in Fig. 5, a central side pin or screw 75 or 76 respectively, is fitted through a central opening in the mating column ledges 73, 73a and 74, 740, the side pin projecting through the central looped ends 46 and 46a of the upper and lower side hinged arms 37, 37a and 37b respectively, to accurately align the side hinge arms with the side columns .69 and 70.

As shown in Fig. 5, each side pin or screw has a head 75a or 76a integral therewith, the head 75a of the upper side pin engaging the bottom surface of the lower ledge 73a of the upper pair ofledges, while the head 76a of the lower pin restsagainst the upper edge of the central looped end 46b of the side hinge arm in the manner shown in Fig. '5. A spring tbimble 50, similar to that shown in Fig. l, is attached to the upper end'of the upper side .pin 75, to vertically'loca-te the upper side pin =rela arr-9 .1491

9 tive to theupper parallel ledges 73 and-73a, gfthe adjacent side column and retainthe upperside pinin its relative position shown in Fig. 5.

As shown at the bottom of Fig. 5, a lower side pin or screw 76'is fitted through a central opening in the lower ledges 74 and 74a of each channel side column, the pin fitting through the central looped end of the lower-side hinge arm to align the side hinge arm with the adjacent channel column 69 or 70 respectively.

A front and a rear fabric cover 52 and 53 are fitted around the upper and lower hinge arms, the folded sections of the front and rear fabric cover being wrapped around the front and rear end looped ends of the hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 in order to align the fabric cover with the hinge arms of the upper and lower hinge sections.

A substantially U-shaped fabric fastener bracket is fitted to the upper end of each ofthe central support pins in the manner shown in Figs. and 4, to attach the fabric cover sections to the foldable closure mechanism.

The detailed construction of a modification ofthe fabric fastener brackets shown in Figs. 11, 12 and. 13, is shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Each modified fabric fastener bracket comprises 'a connecting wall 77, with a front and a rear wall 78 and 79 integral therewith and substantially perpendicular thereto, the fastener bracket being made of a single sheet of spring m aterial.

Each of the front and rear walls 78 and 79 of the modified fabric fastener bracket, which is substantially flat, as shown in Fig. 15, is slotted along two parallel lines, substantially parallel to the fastener bracket connecting wall 77, to form a pair of gripping flanges 80 and 81, which extend angularly inward from the front and rear bracket walls, as indicated in Fig. 15.

The central ends of the two gripping flanges 80 and 81 each has a circular segmental semi-oval or other arcuate form of cutout therethrough, the sharp central edges of the gripping flanges 80 and 81 adjacent the cutouts receiving and gripping the body 61, of a pin which is fitted therethrough, in the manner shown in Fig. 15.

The essential difference between the fabric support means shown in Figs. 14 and 15 and that shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is that in Figs. 14 and 15, the gripping flanges 78 and 79, which grip the fabric extend over the entire height of the fastener bracket flanges, the central portion of the flanges being cut out and bent inward to grip the pins 61.

In the construction shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the flanges forming the sides of the U-shaped bracket are located a short distance from the inner surface of the fabric, the cut-out central portion of each of the flanges being sloped outward, the edges of the sloping sections of the flanges engaging the fabric to grip the fabric. The upper and lower ends of each of the flanges are of arcuate contour, as shown in Fig. 12.

Each pin, which is substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the head 63 engaging and gripping the adjacent surface of the front or rear fabric cover section 52 or 53 in the manner shown in Fig. 15.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the connecting wall 77 of each modified fabric fastener bracket has a substantially central opening therethrough, which fits around the body of the central support pin 67 or 68.

Each fastener bracket attached to the upper end of the upper central support pin is held in-place b'y a .lock nut 64, such as that shown in Fig. 11, the teeth surrounding the central opening in the lock nut engaging and gripping the body of the central support pin in the manner shown in Fig. 14.

A coiled compression spring 65 is fitted to the lower 10 side pin or 6, which attaches-each end hinged aim 37 or 3 tothe adjacent vertical side column 69 or '70.

A fabric fastener bracket. such as that shown in Figs. 11 and 12, or the modified type of fabric fastener bracket, shown in Figs. 14 and 15, is fitted to the lower end of each lower side pin 75 or 76, the fabric fastener brackets gripping the lower portion of the ends of the fabric sections 52 and 53 in the same manner.

' Figs. 6 and 7 show an extensible linkage which is fitted between the two channel side columns. 69 land 70, shown in Fig. 5, the extensible linkage being located between the upper and lower hinge sections to maintain the two side channel columns 69 and 70 in parallelism with one another when the movable Side column 69 shown at the left-hand side, Figs. 5 and 6, is moved toward or away from the relatively fixed side column 70 shown at the right-hand side, Figs. 5 and 6.

The extensible linkage shown in Fig. 6 comprises a plurality of equally spaced angularly positioned links 83 and 84 made of flat material of rectangular cross-section, round bars, or bars of other suitable cross-sectional contour, the center of each intersecting pair of angularly posi tioned links being pivotally connected by a central pivo pin or rivet 85, or other suitable pivot means.

The upper end of each pair of pivotally connected links 84 and 86a is pivotally connected by v another pivot pin 87, the lower end of each pair of adjoining angularly positioned links 83 and 84a being similarly pivotally connected by a lower pivot pin or rivet 88, the three rows of pivot pins allowing the movable side column 69 to be moved toward or away from the relatively fixed side column 70, thus adjusting the angular relation of the hinged sections shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, and in that manner adjusting the overall width of the foldable closure mechanism,

A pivot support bracket 89 is fixedly attached to the inner surface of each of the vertical side columns- 69 and 70 insubstantial alignment with the lower pivot pins 88 connecting the extensible linkage links 83 and 84a.

The lower :end link 90 at each side of the extensible linkage has a pivot pin 91 fitted therethrough, the pivot pin being inserted through the pivot support bracket 89 to pivotally support the adjacent lower end link 90 of the extensible linkage.

As shown in Fig. 6, a slide bracket 92 is fixedly attached to the inner wall of each vertical side column 69 or 70, each slide bracket having a parallel-faced slot 93 there through to guide the pivot support pin lof'one of the end links of the extensible linkage.

The upper end link 94 at each side of the extensible; linkage has a pivot pin 95 fitted therethrough, the pivotpin being fitted through the parallel-faced slot 93 in the slide bracket, thus allowing the upper end pivot pin 95' to be moved upward or downward in conformity with the vertical height of the end link, as the angular position thereof is varied by varying the overall distance between the two channel side columns.

The two lower end pivot pins 91 and 91a coupled with the two .upper pivot pins95 and 95a fltted to the parallel-faced slots 93 in the slide brackets attached to the side columns thus allow one end of the extensible linkage, Which is attached to the movable or left-hand side column 69 to be moved toward or away from the opposite end thereof, which is attached to the relatively fixed or right-hand side column, thus allowing the movable side column to be moved toward or away from the fixed side column within the range of movement of the extensible linkage, the two sets of end links, pivotally attached to the channel side columns 69 and 70, maintaining the channel side columns in parallel relation to one another, regardless of the relative position of the two channel side columns and the adjusted width of the assembled foldlable closure mechanism. I r The locating washers 16 and 17, which are substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 allow the hihged arms 11, 12 and t4, 1'5 to be angularly adjusted relative to one'another in the manner shown in Fig. 3, thus allowing the front and rear support rods 25 and 26 respectively, to be anguiarly ottset in the manner shown by dot-dash lines in Fig. 3. The flat portion of central ends of the forward and rear hinge arms 11, 12 and 14, 15 remain within and are respectively located by the corresponding slots in the locating washer 16 or 17 in the same manner as those shown in Fig, l, regardless of the angular relation of the front and rear hinge arms.

Fig. 16 is a cross-section through the right-hand vertical side channel column 40 of the foldable closure mechanism, which is removably attached to the right-hand side wall of a door opening, a wall opening, or other suitable location in which the foldable closure mechanism is mounted.

Fig. 16 is a partial cross-section through one side wall 97 adjacent the opening to which the foldable closure mechanism is fitted, and a cross-section through the righthand channel side column 40 of the foldable closure mechanisms, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, showing the method of removably attaching the right-hand side column, which is relatively fixed, when the width of the foldable closure is adjusted by moving the left-hand side column toward or away from the right-hand side column.

While the right-hand side column 40 is shown as fixed, and the left-hand column movable relative thereto, this relation depends upon the individual installation, as the left-hand side column 39 may be fixed and the righthand side column movable relative thereto.

A plurality of spring clips is provided at spaced intervals along the edge of the right-hand side wall, adjacent the opening to which the foldable closure mechanism is fitted, the spring clips being spaced along the height of the edge of the wall and individually attached thereto by means of screws 98, or other suitable attaching means inserted in the side wall 97, to removably attach each channel side column 40 to the edge of the side wall adjacent the opening to which the foldable closure mechanism is fitted. Each spring clip comprises a base 99 with a pair of side arms 100 and 101 integral with the base and projecting outward therefrom, the side arms 100 and m1 of each spring clip each being bent to form an inner sloping section 100a and an outer sloping section 19017 integral therewith, the overall width across the outer edges of the spring clip side arms at the junction between the. sloping sections thereof being considerably greater than the width at the junction between the side arms 100 and 101 and the spring clip base 99.

The base 99 which is of rectangular form of arcuate or other suitable cross-sectional contour, as indicated in Figs. 16 and 17 has a central opening ther'ethrough, between the side arms a screw which is threadably attached to the side wall 97 being inserted through the base opening.

The sides of the base 99 of each spring clip have a pair of narrow projections 102 and 102a integral therewith, the projections extending outward beyond the adjacent side arms and being angularly located relative to the base proper. The outer surface of the projections 102 and 102a of the spring clip base 99 engage the surface of the side wall 97 to which the spring clip is attached to locate the spring clip base relative to the wall surface, the spring action of the arcuate cross-section of the base, maintaining tension of the base against the head of the attaching screw 98 threadably titted to the side wall 97, thereby retaining the spring clip in positive engagement with the wall surface, the inner sloping sections 10th:, 101:: of the side arms 100, 101 are bent out ward, as indicated in Fig. 16, the outer sloping sections iiiiib, 1611; being bent inwardso that the width. of. the gap between the open ends of the outer slopingsections their-anti 1-911: narrower'than the'everall' width across 12 the junction between the inner and outer sloping sections a, 1001), and 101a, 101b, respectively.

The side arms 101} and 101 of each spring clip, which are made of sheet spring material, may be manually pressed inward to a point at which the overall width across the outer edge of the junction between the inner and outer sloping sections of the side arms is slightly narrower than the gap between the inner flanges of the righthand channel side column outer flanges, after which the spring clip side arms are expanded due to the elasticity of the spring material of which they are made, until the outer surface of the inner sloping sections 100a and 101a of the side arms engage the adjacent edges of the outer flanges 43b and 430 of the right-hand channel side column 4d, the expansion of the spring clip side arms forcing the side arms 180 and 101 into engagement with the inner edgestof the right-hand channel side column outer flanges 43b and 430, the spring clips gripping the channel side column outer flanges, thereby supporting the righthand vertical channel side column 4% or 70 with the foldable closure mechanism members and the fabric cover fold sections 52 and 53 attached thereto by means of the U-shaped fastener bracket.

The ends-104 and of the fabric cover sections 52 and 53, which are bent around the outer edges of each of the vertical channel columns 39 and 40 in the manner shown in Fig. 16, are bent over in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the channel side column. The ends 104 and 105 of the fabric sections are either attached to the vertical channel side column flanges 43b and 430 by clips or other suitable attaching means, or they may be gripped between the right-hand Wall surface and the outer surfaces of the channel side column outer flanges 43b and 43c, the pressure of the side arms 100 and 101 of the spring clips forcing the channel side column flanges 43b and 430 against the wall surface, thereby gripping the edges 104 and 105 of the fabric cover sections between the wall surface and the right-hand channel side column flanges 43b and 43c.

What [claim is:

1. In a foldable closure mechanism having columns at opposite sides thereof, the combination of a pair of substantially parallel side columns located on opposite sides of the foldable mechanism, a plurality of hinged sections located between the side columns and substantially perpendicular thereto, each of said hinged sections having a pair of hinge arms of rectangular cross-section, extending outward from the center thereof, the hinge arms. at the extreme sides of the hinged sections being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns, a locating washer having an opening through the center thereof located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, each of said locating washers being operative to angularly' support the adjacent pair of hinge arms, the pair of hinged arms fitted to each of said locating washers beingjan'gularly adjustable relative to one another, a row of support members mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent locating washers and the hinge arms fitted thereto, each of said hinge arms having a single end loop fitted to the adjacent support member, an extensible linkage mounted between the two side columns substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being .pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns a support pin. fitted to a single loop at the inner end of each. hinge arm pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of adjoining hinge arms on one side of the longitudinal hinged section axis and a parallel row of support pins fitted to individual loops at the end of each hinge arm pivotally connecting the adjacent endsof the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal hinged section axis.

2. Ina foldahle closure mechanism having columns at theside's thereof; the combination of a pair ofsubstanti'ally parallel channel side columns located on up 13 a posite sides of the mechanism, a plurality of rows of hinged sections located between the side columns sub stantially perpendicularly thereto, each of said hinged sections having a pair of hinge arms of rectangular crosssection, extending outward from the center thereof, the central end of each of the hinge arms at the extreme sides of each row of hinged sections being pivotally connected to the adjacent side column, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, between the individual looped ends thereof, each of said locating washers being operative to angularly support the adjacent pair of hinge arms, the pair of hinged arms fitted to each of said'locating washers being angularly adjustable to relative to one another, a row of central support members mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers, and the hinge arms fitted thereto, each hinge arm having a single loop at the inner end thereof fitted to the adjacent support member, an extensible linkage fitted between the two side columns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support members pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, each of said hinge arms having a single integral end loop fitted to the adjacent support rod, and a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, each of said hinge arms having a single integral end loop fitted to the adjacent support rod, each of said outer support rods pivotally supporting pairs of hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another.

3. In a foldable closure mechanism having columns at the sides thereof, the combination of a pair of substantially parallel channel side columns located on opposite sides of the mechanism, a plurality of hinged sections mounted in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane through the side columns, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral loop at each end thereof, the central end of each of the side hinge arms located at the extreme sides of each row ofhinged sections being pivotally connected to the adjacent side column, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, between the looped ends of the adjacent hinge arm, each of said locating washers having a pair of slots through the outer circumference thereof, said locating washer slots being operative to receive the ends of the adjacent pair of hinge arms to align the hinge arms relative to one another, a row of central support members mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating Washers and the hinge arms fitted thereto, the loop at the corresponding end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the support rods, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support members pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, and a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, the loop at the corresponding end of the adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the outer support rods, each of said outer support rods pivotally connecting pairs of hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another.

4. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel side columns located on opposite sides of the 14 mechanism, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said foldable closure mechanism in a plane substantially perpen dicular to the channel side columns, one hinged section of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral loop at each end thereof, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, the mating looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one central support rod, each of said locating washers having a pair of slots therethrough through the outer circumference thereof, the locating washer slots being operative to receive the ends of the adjacent pair of hinge arms to align the hinge arms relative to one another, a row of central support pins mounted substantially parallel the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers, each row of central support pins being operative to independently pivotally support the hinge arms fitted to the adjacent locating washers, an extensible linkage mounted between the two channel side columns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns to maintain the side columns in a substantially parallel relation to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the upper and lower hinged sections, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally. connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, the mating loop at the end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the outer support rods, a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, the mating loop at the end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the parallel outer support rods, each of said outer support rods pivotally supporting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms.

5. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel columns located at opposite sides of the mechanism, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said closure mechanism in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane through the channel side columns, one hinged section of each pairbeing located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral loop at each end thereof, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, each of said locating washers being operative to angularly support the adjacent pair of hinge arms, a row of central support members mounted substantially parallel. to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers and the hinge arms fitted thereto, the central looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fittedto each central support member, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support members pivotally connecting the ends of adjoining pairs of hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the outer support rods, a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of pairs of hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinged arm being fitted to one of the parallel outer support rods, each of said outer support rodspivotally'connecting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another, a fabric cover fitted to the outer surface of each row of outer support rods, each fabric cover section being folded around the adjacent hinge. arms, a fabric fastener bracket fitted to one end of each of the central support members adjacent the hinged section, each fabric fastener bracket consisting of a front and a rear wall with a connecting wall integral with and connecting one end of the front and rear walls, the connecting wall being fitted to the adjacent and of the central support rods, each front and rear wall having a pair of angularly positioned gripping flanges for gripping a cylindrical member fitted thereto, a cylindrical member fitted to each of the cover sections for attaching the cover section to the adjacent fabric fastener front or rear wall, an auxiliary fabric fastener bracket fitted to the opposite end of each of the central support members adjacent the hinged sections, means for removably attaching the adjacent fabric cover section to the auxiliary fabric fastener brackets, a coiled compression spring interposed between each auxiliary fabric fastener bracket and the adjacent hinge arms, said compression spring being operative to stretch the fabric cover sections between the fabric fastener brackets located at opposite ends of the central support members.

6. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel columns located at opposite sides of the foldable closure mechanism,'a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said foldablc mechanism in a plane substantially perpendicular to the channel side columns, one hinged section of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral loop at each end thereof, the central looped end of each of the hinge arms at the extreme sides of each row of hinged sections being pivotally connected to the adjacent side columns, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of binge arms, a row of central support pins mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers and independently pivotally supporting the hinge arms fitted thereto, the central looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each central support pin, an extensible linkage fitted between the two side columns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns to maintain the side columns in a substantially parallel relation to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the upper and lower hinged sections, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support pins pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge am being fitted to each of the outer support rods, a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each of the parallel outer support rods, each of said outer support rods pivotally supporting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another, a fabric cover fitted to the outer surface of each row of outer support rods, each fabric cover section being folded around the adjacent hinge arms, a fabric fastener bracket fitted to one end of each of the central support pins adjacent the hinge arms, means for removably attaching the adjacent fabric cover sections to the fabric fastener brackets, an auxiliary fabric fastener bracket fitted to each of the opposite central support pins located at the oppositeend of the foldable closure mechanism adjacent the hinged arms, means for removably attaching Ed the fabric covet-sections to the adjacent auxiliary fabric fastener brackets, and a coiled compression spring interposed between each auxiliary fabric fastener bracket and the adjacent hinge arms.

7. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel side columns located at opposite sides of the mechanism, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper andlower edges of said closure mechanism in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane through the channel side columns, one hinged section of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral loop at each end thereof, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, each of said locating washers being operative to angularly support the adjacent pair of hinge arms, a row of central support pins mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers, and independently pivotally supporting the hinge arms fitted thereto, the central looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each central support pin, an extensible linkage fitted between the two side columns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, said extensible linkage consisting ofa plurality of angularly positioned crossed links, means pivotally connecting the center of each intersecting pair of crossed links, means pivotally connecting the adjoining end of each pair of crossed links at the upper end thereof, means pivotally connecting the lower end of each pair of ad joining crossed links, means pivotally connecting one extreme side link at each side of the extensible linkage to the adjacent side column, means pivotally and slidably connecting one extreme side link at each side of the extensible linkage to the adjacent side column, said extensible linkage being operative to maintain the side columns in parallel relation to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the hinged sections, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support pins pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of adjoining pairs of hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal foldable mechanism axis, the mating looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each of the outer support rods, a substantially parallel row of support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of pairs of binge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal foldable mechanismaxis, the mating looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each of the parallel outer support rods, each of saidouter support rods pivotally connecting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another.

8. A foldable closure mechanism for mounting in a wall opening, said foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel side columns located on opposite sides of the mechanism, each of said channel side columns having a pair of flanges with a gap therebetween adjacent the side wall to which the mechanism is fitted, a plurality of spring clips fixedly attached to the side wall adjacent one of the side columns, said spring clips being operative to removably support the adjacent side column flanges, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said foldable closure mechanism in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side columns, one hinged section of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of apair of binge arms of rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral loop at each end thereof, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the centerof each pair of hinge arms, each of said locating washershaving a pair 17 of slots therethrough adjacent the outer circumference thereof, the slots being operative to receive the ends of the adjacent pair of hinge arms to align the hinge arms relative to one another, a row of support pins mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers, and independently pivotally supporting the hinge arms fitted thereto, the central looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each of the support pins, an extensible linkage mounted between the two channel side columns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns to maintain the side columns in a substantially parallel relation to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the upper and lower hinged sections, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, the corret sponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the outer support rods, a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, the cor-,

responding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being i combination of a pair of channel side columns located on opposite sides of the mechanism, each of said channel side columns having a pair of flanges with a gap therebetween adjacent the side wall to which the mechanism is fitted, a plurality of spring clips fixedly attached to'the side wall adjacent one of the side columns, each of said spring clips having a pair of integral angularly positioned side arms, the spring clip side arms being operative to engage the flanges ofon'e channel sidecolun n'jo removably support the channel side column in a relatively fixed position, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections mounted in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side columns, one of the hinged sections of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge armsof rectangular cross-section extending outward from the centerthereof, each of said'hinge arms having a singleintegral loop at each end thereof, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms, each of said locating washers having a pair of slots therethrough at the outer circumference thereof, said locating washer slots being operative to receive the ends of the adjacent pair of hinge arms to align the hinge arms relative to one another, a row of central support members mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotally supporting the adjacent row of locating washers and the hinge arms fitted thereto, the central looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the central support members, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support members pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the outer support rods, and a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the parallel outer support rods, each of said outer support rods pivotally connecting a plurality of pairs of hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another.

1 Q. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, and readily movable toward and away from each other to adjust the width of the foldable closure mechanism, comprising a pair of channel side columns located at opposite sides of the foldable closure mechanism, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said foldable closure mechanism in a plane substantially perpendicular to the channel side colurnns, one of the hinged sections of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of substantially rectangular cross-section, extending outward from the center thereof, each hinge arm having a looped end integral with each end thereof, the looped end of each of the side hinge arms, located substantially on the axis connecting the side columns adjacent each of the side columns being pivotally attached to the adjacent side column, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair of hinge arms in substantial axial alignment with the adjacent hinge arm looped ends, each of said locating washers having a pair of slots therethrough through the outer circumference thereof, a portion of the adjacent looped end-of each hinge arm being cut away to clear the locating washer, the locating washer slots being operative to receive the ends of the adjacent pair of hinge arms to align the hinge arm'srelative to one another, the pair of hinge arms fitted to the slots in each of said locating washers being angularly adjustable relative to one another, a row of central supportpins mounted substantially parallel to the side columns inserted through the adjacent hinge arm looped ends and the mating locating washer to pivotally support v the adjacent row of locating washers and independently pivotally support the hinge arms fitted thereto, an extensible linkage mounted between the two side columns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns to maintain the side columns in a substantially parallel relation to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the upper and lower hinged sections, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support pins fitted through the adjacent hinge arm looped ends to pivotally connect the adjacent ends of the hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal hinged section axis, and a substantially parallel row of outer support rods fitted through the adjacent looped ends of the hinge arms, is located on the opposite side of the longitudinallhinged section axis, to pivotally connect the adjacent pairs of hinge arms, each of said outer support rods pivotally supporting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another.

11. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel side columns located at opposite sides of the foldable closure mechanism, a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said foldable closure mechanism in a plane substantially perpendicular to the channel side columns, one of the hinged sections of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a pair of hinge arms of substantially rectangular crosssection extending outward from the center thereof, each hinge arm having a looped end integral with each end thereof, each channel side column having a plurality of 1. arms to the adjacent side coltunns, a locating washer having a central opening therethrough located at substantially the center of each pair'of hinge arms in substantially axial alignment with the adjacent hinge arm looped ends, each of said locating washers having a pair of slots therethrough, through the outer circumference thereof, the locating washer slots being operative to receive the ends of the adjacent pair of hinge arms to angularly align the opposite hinge arms relative to one another, a portion of the adjacent looped ends of each hinge arm being cut away to clear the adjacent locating washer, a row of central support pins mounted substantially parallel the side columns inserted through the adjacent hinge arm looped ends and the mating locating washer to pivotally support the adjacent row of locating washers and independently pivotally support the hinge arms fitted thereto,

umns located substantially in a plane through the side columns, the sides of said extensible linkage being pivotally attached to the adjacent side columns to maintain the side-columns in a substantially parallel relation to one another, the extensible linkage being located between the upperand lower hinged sections, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the side' columns fitted through the adjacent hinge armlooped ends to pivotally connect the hinge arms located on one side of the longi-' an extensible linkage inserted between the two side coland the hinge arms fitted thereto, the central looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to each of the central support members, a row of outer support rods substantially parallel to the central support members pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of pairs of hinge arms located on one side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the outer support rods, a substantially parallel row of outer support rods pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of pairs of hinge arms located on the opposite side of the longitudinal foldable closure mechanism axis, each of said outer support rods pivotally connecting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms located in spaced relation to one another, the corresponding looped end of each adjacent hinge arm being fitted to one of the parallel outer support rods, a fabric cover fitted to the outer surface of each row of outer support rods, each fabric cover section being folded around the adjacent hinge arms, a fabric fastener bracket fitted to one end of each of the central support members adjacent the hinged section, each fabric tudinalhinged section axis, a substantially parallel row of t ,t

outer support rods fittedthrough the adjacent looped ends of the hinge arms located on the opposite side ofthe longitudinal hinged section axis to pivotally connect ,the opposite pairs of hinge arms, each of 'said outersupport rods pivotally supporting pairs of upper and lower hinge arms located in spaced relation to oneanother.

12. A foldable closure mechanism having a pair of columns at the extreme sides thereof, comprising a pair of channel columns located at opposite sides of the fold able closure mechanism; a plurality of pairs of hinged sections located adjacent the extreme upper and lower edges of said foldable mechanism inn-plane substantially perpendicular to the plane through the channel side columns, one ofthe hinged sections of each pair being located above the other, each of said hinged sections consisting of a-pair of hinge arms of substantially rectangular cross-section extending outward from the center thereof, each of said hinge arms having a single integral, loop at each end thereof, a locating washer havinga central opening therethrough located at substantially the fastener bracket consisting of a front and a rear wall with a connecting wall integral with and connecting one end of the front and rear walls, the connecting wall being fitted to the adjacent end of the central support member, each front and rear wall having a pair of angularly positioned gripping flanges for retaining a cylindrical member fitted thereto, a plurality of cylindrical members fitted through each of the cover sections for attaching the cover section to the adjacent fabric fastener bracket front or v rear walls, an auxiliary fabric fastener bracket fitted to cent front or rear walls of the auxiliary fabric fastener center of each pair of hinge arms, each of said locating washers being operative to angularly support the adja-' cent pair of hinge arms, a row of central support members mounted substantially parallel to the side columns pivotauy supporting the ad acent row of locating washers brackets, and a coiled compressionspring interposed between each auxiliary fabric fastener bracket connecting wall and the adjacent hinge arms, said compression springs being operative to stretch the fabric cover sections betweenthe fabric fastener brackets located at opposite ends of the central support members.

References Cited in the file of this patent I UNITED STATES PATENTS Nordell Sept. 20, 1932 2,220,939 McGuire et al. Nov. 12, 1940 2,373,146 Shearer Apr. to, 1945 2,400,608 Shearer May 21, 1946 Watkins Jan. 25, 1949 

